The Cincinnati Bengals could have traded AJ McCarron in the offseason for a second round pick but elected to keep him as Andy Dalton's backup at quarterback.

The Bengals figured they would need to use a draft pick in order to replace McCarron, making the deal value neutral.

If the Bengals let McCarron leave in free agency in 2018, they will get a compensation pick back for him.

McCarron had a 97.1 passer rating in seven games during the 2015 season.